How Allergy Immunotherapy Works: A Complete Guide to Allergy Shots and Drops
Key Takeaways
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“What should I do if my allergy meds stop working?” It’s a question many patients ask when a once-reliable antihistamine no longer seems to control allergy symptoms. If over-the-counter medications no longer provide enough relief, it may be time to consider a treatment that addresses the root cause of allergies. Immunotherapy is a long-lasting solution that allergists recommend.
What is immunotherapy?
Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment option that desensitizes your immune system to allergens with slow, controlled exposures. Rather than masking symptoms, immunotherapy gradually trains your immune system to become less sensitive to the substances triggering your allergic reactions.
Over time, many patients experience:
- Fewer allergy symptoms
- Reduced use or elimination of daily allergy medications
- Improved quality of life
- Better control of allergy-related asthma
Immunotherapy is most commonly recommended for environmental allergies, including:
- Tree, grass and weed pollen
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Pet dander
Immunotherapy is available in two forms: SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy, or “allergy shots”) and SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy, or “allergy drops”). While allergy shots are the most common option provided at Family Allergy & Asthma clinics, allergy drops come with their own benefits.
Your allergist can determine whether you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy treatments based on your symptoms, allergy testing results and medical history.
How do allergy shots work?
Allergy shot treatment works by injecting tiny amounts of the allergens you’re allergic to. These doses start very small and gradually increase over time, allowing your immune system to safely build tolerance.
Treatment typically occurs in two phases:
Phase 1: Build-Up
During the first several months, you’ll receive injections once or twice each week while your allergist gradually increases the allergen dose.
Phase 2: Maintenance
Reaching maintenance means you’ve reached your full treatment dose. From there, you’ll receive allergy shots less frequently—often around every two to four weeks—while your immune system continues building long-term tolerance to your allergens. Most patients remain on maintenance therapy for three to five years to achieve the greatest long-term benefit.
Because allergy shots contain live allergens, you’ll remain in the office for approximately 30 minutes after each injection so your care team can monitor for rare allergic reactions.
How long does it take for allergy shots to start working?
While it takes time to work, many patients begin experiencing improvement within six months. When immunotherapy treatment is complete, nearly 70% of patients no longer need allergy medication at all. Others can significantly reduce their medication use, with some needing it only during peak pollen seasons.
How can I get allergy shots at Family Allergy & Asthma?
Immunotherapy is available across all of our practices and can be administered in several ways. We offer Standard, Cluster and Rush allergy shot treatment plans to help you find a path to allergy relief that works with your lifestyle.
Standard: Receive injections two to three times per week. This form of immunotherapy usually takes three to four months to reach the maintenance level.
Cluster: Allows many patients to reach their maintenance dose in just 4–8 weeks, rather than several months. Once maintenance is reached, injections are typically spaced every 2–4 weeks.
Rush: Rush immunotherapy is the fastest way to reach your maintenance dose. By receiving multiple carefully monitored injections over one or more extended visits, many patients can complete the build-up phase in just a few days instead of several months.
Looking for a more flexible option? Ask your board-certified allergist whether allergy drops are right for you.
What are allergy drops?
Allergy drops (SLIT) offer a flexible allergy treatment option for patients who dislike needles, travel frequently or have busy schedules. After the first supervised dose, treatments can typically be conducted at home as directed by your allergist.
So, how do allergy drops work? Patients place liquid drops or tablets containing small amounts of specific allergens under the tongue. The allergen is then absorbed through the mouth, gradually helping the immune system become less reactive over time.
Your allergist can review your allergy test results, symptoms and lifestyle to determine whether allergy drops or allergy shots are the better fit for you.
Is immunotherapy right for you?
About 85% of patients with allergies report significant long-term improvements in their symptoms.
Immunotherapy may be right for you if:
- Over-the-counter allergy medicine no longer controls your symptoms.
- Complete avoidance of allergies is impossible.
- You rely on allergy medication nearly every day.
- Allergy symptoms interfere with sleep, work or daily activities.
- You have allergic asthma triggered by environmental allergens.
- You want to save money spent on allergy medicine.
- You want a long-term solution instead of temporary symptom relief.
As with all allergy care, the first step is comprehensive allergy testing. Schedule a visit with your local allergist, who can identify exactly which allergens are causing your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan for you.
To learn more about the allergy shots and allergy testing, visit our Allergy Shots education page, and read our blog: “Allergy Shots vs. Over-the-Counter Allergy Medications”
Find lasting allergy relief at Family Allergy & Asthma!
You don’t have to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking help. Early diagnosis often leads to better symptom control and improved quality of life. At Family Allergy & Asthma, local allergy and asthma specialists are ready to support you and your family with comprehensive testing and personalized treatment plans. Schedule your allergist appointment with Family Allergy & Asthma today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do allergy shots work?
Allergy shots expose your immune system to gradually increasing amounts of an allergen over time. This helps your body become less sensitive to the allergen, reducing symptoms with continued treatment.
Are allergy shots better than allergy drops?
Neither treatment is universally better. Allergy shots and allergy drops are both forms of immunotherapy, and the best option depends on your allergies, lifestyle and your allergist’s recommendation.
How long do allergy shots take to work?
Many patients notice improvement within six to twelve months, although full benefits often develop over several years of treatment.
Do allergy shots cure allergies?
Immunotherapy is not considered a cure, but it is the closest thing. IT can provide long-lasting symptom relief and significantly reduce your immune system’s response to allergens.
Who should consider immunotherapy for allergies?
Patients whose allergy medicine no longer works, whose symptoms interfere with daily life or who want a long-term treatment option may benefit from discussing immunotherapy with a board-certified allergist.
About Family Allergy & Asthma
Founded in 1979, Family Allergy & Asthma’s practice network of allergy and asthma specialists provides high-quality, reliable and lasting allergy relief throughout Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee, and includes affiliates Allergy & Asthma Specialists (AAS), Asthma and Allergy Associates of Florida (AAAF) and Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic (AAAC). For more information, visit familyallergy.com, and follow Family Allergy & Asthma on Facebook, Instagram and X.
